Marked thrombocytosis following relapse of acute myeloblastic leukemia associated with development of translocation (2;14) (p13;q32)

Thrombocytosis is a rare finding in acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). Here, we describe a patient with AML who relapsed with marked thrombocytosis. The patient was initially diagnosed as having AML (M4) with a low platelet count. The patient was started on combination chemotherapy including high-dose etoposide and achieved complete remission. However, the patient relapsed six months later with an extremely high platelet count (72.5 x 10(4)/microl). Cytogenetic analysis at relapse revealed the development of t(2;14)(p13;q32). Despite the repeated combination chemotherapy, the patient died with progressive disease. This case suggests that the additional chromosomal aberration t(2;14)(p13;q32) may be related to abnormal thrombocytosis in AML.